Making your YouTube videos better doesn’t have to be a huge financial investment. You can still get a good payoff by investing your time and effort rather than your money. With the right know-how, you can have your videos looking like a more expensive production without emptying your bank account.
Here are three ways to improve your videos without spending a dime.
1. Utilize your smartphone as a secondary camera.
One of the best ways to increase your production value is to get a second camera. Capturing a second angle can add visual interest to your videos through close-up shots, side views, etc. It gives viewers a broader picture, which makes the video more engaging as well.
However, you don’t need to shell out for an additional DSLR. You already have a secondary camera in your back pocket. Your smartphone can easily capture a second angle to supplement what your main DSLR can do. To use your smartphone as a secondary camera, follow the instructions in this post.
2. Teach yourself more about editing with YouTube tutorials.
The post-production stage is where your footage becomes a real video. Oftentimes, a good video boils down to good editing. Good editing goes further than jump cuts to get rid of awkward pauses; the best editors know how to tell a story. They utilize cuts, sound effects, transitions, and the other tools their software offers to craft something that holds viewers’ attention.
Instead of hiring a professional editor, you should work to improve your own editing skills. There are countless tutorials on YouTube that you can use to teach yourself. Start by searching the name of your editing software with terms like “beginner” or “hacks.” Then, as you build your confidence with using that software, search for more specific tutorials related to its effects and features.
You should also teach yourself more about photo editing or graphic design so that you can create better thumbnails. If you don’t have a photo editing software, then you can use a site like Canva or Adobe Spark for free.
3. Use pillows and furniture you already have for sound absorption.
If you live near a busy road, there may be traffic or construction noises haunting your audio. Your videos might also be plagued with buzzing from your air conditioner, your refrigerator, or your roommate’s TV. Even an echoey room can impact your audio. Background noise and static can make your video seem amateur.
To cut down on background noise and static, you need to add more sound absorption to your filming space. Anything plushy, such as throw pillows and furniture, will work. Utilizing what you already have at home, incorporate more sound absorption into your home studio. It could be as simple as adding a few throw pillows out of frame.
However, if you want more effective sound absorption, you might switch out the chair you sit in when you film. If you don’t have a fabric chair, then add a throw pillow or a cushion behind you on the one you already use. If you have a rug, put it on the floor of your filming space. When you film, shut the door and tuck a towel or blanket into the space under it.
You don’t need to buy a bunch of fancy equipment or enroll in expensive courses to improve the quality of your videos. Utilize the resources you already have and follow online tutorials made by fellow creators.
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Kristen Harris enjoys listening to a wide range of music, from Taylor Swift to, on occasion, Celtic instrumental. She also spends her time writing, reading, and baking.
